Summer 2007 ENERGY STAR News

• Consumers Can Save Even More with New ENERGY STAR Computer Specification
• EPA Launches New Phase of the ENERGY STAR Challenge
• New Campaign Promotes ENERGY STAR as Part of Solution to Global Climate Change
• ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Reach New Level of Market Penetration

Consumers Can Save Even More with New ENERGY STAR Computer Specification

The new ENERGY STAR specification for desktop and laptop computers, game consoles, workstations, integrated computer systems, desktop-derived servers, and tablet PCs took effect on July 20, 2007. It will save consumers more than $1.8 billion dollars over the next five years and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 2.7 million vehicles.

While the previous ENERGY STAR specification for computers focused on low power modes and power management features, EPA has changed the specification to ensure that ENERGY STAR qualified computers are also using less energy during their normal, idle state.

ENERGY STAR qualified computers must also meet stringent requirements for their internal and external power supplies under the new specification. A computer's internal power supply must have an 80 percent minimum efficiency at 20, 50, and 100 percent of rated output.

Potential lifetime savings are as follows for consumers who buy computers that meet the new ENERGY STAR specification:

Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified computers.

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EPA Launches New Phase of ENERGY STAR Challenge

EPA has issued a Challenge to individuals and organizations to improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more. Several U.S. mayors have in turn voted on a resolution that will endorse the Challenge and encourage other mayors to reduce energy use in public and private sector buildings.

The resolution was co-authored by five mayors: Adrian M. Fenty of the District of Columbia; Graham Richard of Fort Wayne, IN; Virg Bernero of Lansing, MI; Martin Chavez of Albuquerque, NM; and Will Wynn of Austin, TX.

The EPA estimates that if the energy efficiency of all commercial and industrial buildings in the U.S. improved by 10 percent, Americans would save about $20 billion and prevent greenhouse gases equal to the emissions from about 30 million vehicles.

Learn how to Build a Better World through the ENERGY STAR Challenge at www.energystar.gov/challenge.

Challenge participants and their members are encouraged to:

• Measure and track energy use
• Develop a plan for energy improvements
• Make energy efficiency upgrades
• Help spread the energy efficiency word to others
• Join ENERGY STAR as a partner, if eligible

Learn more about the Challenge or sign up to take the Challenge. The ENERGY STAR Web site also offers access to a new Toolkit of easy-to-use communications and implementation resources.

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New Campaign Promotes ENERGY STAR as Part of Solution to Global Climate Change

EPA has announced the launch of a new public service campaign promoting ENERGY STAR as an important part of the solution to climate change.

The campaign features ordinary individuals who represent the growing number of Americans who are turning to ENERGY STAR to help save energy and money while protecting the climate for future generations.

Americans are looking for ways they can help, and this public service announcement (PSA) demonstrates how even small changes really can make a difference. The début of the 30-second television spot took place at the Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, DC.

The new ENERGY STAR television PSA will be distributed nationally and will become part of a larger campaign that also includes print public service announcements to be released later this year.

An expanded two-minute version is also available for viewing or download.

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ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Reach New Level of Market Penetration

Despite a downturn in the new home construction market at the end of 2006, the market penetration of ENERGY STAR certified new homes went up in 2006 compared to the previous year-proving builders know that consumers value the comfort, quality, and energy savings found in ENERGY STAR certified homes.

Close to 200,000 homes earned the ENERGY STAR in 2006, achieving a 12 percent national average market penetration among single-family homes for the year. There are now close to 750,000 ENERGY STAR certified homes in the ground.

In these 17 states, the market presence of ENERGY STAR new homes is even higher than the national average:

Learn more about ENERGY STAR certified homes.

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